Apparatus for transporting and storing a pool table

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an apparatus for transporting a pool table. The pool table has two long sides and two short sides. The two short sides each have a pivot rod mounted to them. Further, each of the short sides has a first leg with wheels and a second leg with at least one wheel for supporting the pool table. Also, the second leg which is pivotally mounted to fold 180° to a position in the same plane as the first leg for transporting the pool table. In addition, each of the first legs has a plate mounted on it. The plates have a recess for receiving one of the pivot rods in order to pivot the top of the pool table 90° between a horizontal playing position and a vertical transport position relative to the first leg, so that the short sides of the table are in the vertical position relative to the ground.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for transporting a pool table having a pivoting device for moving the pool table between a horizontal playing position and a vertical storage position so it can be stored in a storage closet. The pool table itself can be converted into a dining room table, and chairs may be stored within a storage case under the pool table.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Pool tables, while providing gaming enjoyment, are normally stationary pieces of furniture that not only take up a lot of space, but also only serve a single function playing pool. Thus, there is a need for a pool table that can not only be moved and stored so as to provide added space, but can also be transformed into a multifunctional piece of furniture, ie. a dining room table and storage chest for folding chairs.

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a pool table that can be easily moved from a horizontal playing position to a storage position.

[0004] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pool table that can be converted into a dining room table complete with an integral storage case for storing folding chairs.

[0005] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pool table that can be compactly stored in a storage closet.

DISCUSSION OF PRIOR ART

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 3,866,913 discloses a convertible game table assembly with an elongated rectangular table member pivotally mounted on a base with spaced sidewalls for movement between a horizontal table position and a substantially vertical storage position. Two similar game table assemblies having their table members pivoted into a horizontal position may have their ends couple together to provide for a full size game table, or they may have their table members perpendicularly disposed and abutting to provide a playback table. The bases include shelves for a bookcase assembly with the table member pivoted in the vertical position.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,549,320 discloses furniture which is convertible so as to provide a table for playing snooker or the like or alternatively a bed, which comprises two parts each of box-like construction and of the rectangular platform. One part has an upper surface in the form of a snooker table while the other part has an upstanding side and endwalls which retain a mattress and bedding thereon.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides an apparatus for transporting a pool table. The pool table has two long sides and two short sides. The two short sides each have a pivot rod mounted on them. Further, each of the short sides has a first leg with wheels and a second leg with at least one wheel for supporting the pool table. Also, the second leg is pivotally mounted to fold 180° to a position in the same plane as the first leg for transporting the pool table. In addition, each of the first legs has a plate mounted on it. The plates have a recess for receiving the pivot rods in order to pivot the top of the pool table 90° between horizontal playing position and a vertical transport position relative to the first leg, so that the short sides of the pool table are in the vertical position relative to the ground.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the pool table in the horizontal playing position;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pool table being folded so as to move it into the vertical transport/storage position;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pool table pivoted about its pivot rods into a vertical transport/storage position;

[0012]FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the pool table in the vertical transport/storage position;

[0013]FIG. 5 is a view of one of the short sides of the pool table in the horizontal playing position;

[0014]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the plates on the table and first and second legs for receiving the pivot rods;

[0015]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the underside of the pool table in the vertical/storage position also showing the storage case containing folded chairs; and

[0016]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the pool table in the vertical storage position in the wall unit in which a descendable motorized assembly for incorporating a flat screen television set is provided.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] FIGS. 1 to 8 show an apparatus 10 for transporting a pool table 20. Pool table 20 has two long sides 22, 24 and two short sides 26, 28. The two short sides 26, 28 each have a pivot rod 60, 62 mounted thereon. Short side 26 has first leg 29 with wheels 31 and second leg 30 with at least one wheel 31, and short side 28 has first leg 32 with wheels 31 and second leg 33 with at least one wheel 31 for supporting pool table 20. The second legs 30, 33 are pivotally mounted to fold 180° to a position 35 in the same plane as the first legs 29, 32 for transporting pool table 20. Each of the short sides 26, 28 of pool table 20 have plates 40, 41 (see FIG. 6) respectively mounted thereon having pivot rods 60, 62 extending therefrom. Also, each of the first legs 29, 32 respectively have plates 42 and 43 (see FIG. 6) with recesses 50 for receiving one of the pivot rods 60, 62 to pivot the top of pool table 20 about the pivot rods 90° between a horizontal playing position 70 and a vertical transport position 72, relative to the first legs 29, 30. The short sides 26, 28 of pool table 20 are pivoted to a vertical position 74 relative to the ground.

[0018] In addition, a storage case 80 in which folding chairs 204 can be stored is integrally provided under pool table 20. The storage case 80 has a first end 81 and second end 82 and the ends are each connected to one of the first legs 29, 32 respectively to form a unit for transporting the pool table 20 between a first playing location and a storage location or a second playing location. The storage case 80 further includes a cover 84 pivotally connected to the storage case 80. The cover 84 is movable to a vertical open position 85 for helping to support (along with pool cue mounting racks 86 & 87) pool table 20 in vertical position 72. Mounting racks 86, 87 which are located on the underside 21 of pool table 20 may be used in their extended positions 302 for mounting pool sticks 300. Also, as mentioned above, racks 86, 87 operate to support pool table 20 in the vertical position 72.

[0019] In addition, the two long sides 22, 24 of pool table 20 have first and second panels 94, 96, respectively, pivotally connected to each respective long side 22, 24. Each panel 94, 96 pivots 270° between a vertical position 98 on the side 100 of the pool table 20 and a horizontal position 99 to cover the pool table 20. In the horizontal position, the first and second panels 94, 96 cooperate to form a dining table 20 a. In this manner, the apparatus may be used for playing pool or for dining in any location. When stored, the apparatus is a substantial space saver.

[0020] In addition, a storage closet 200 for storing the pool table 20 is provided. The storage closet 200 has a plurality of doors 202 for opening and closing the closet 200. The pool table 20 and storage case 80 can be moved into and out of the storage closet 200 when the doors 202 are in the open position 201.

[0021] Also, a vertically extending assembly 400 located within storage closet 200 is provided which can incorporate a flat panel television set or picture 215. For viewing, vertical extending assembly 400 is lowered from the top of storage closet 200 in front of pool table apparatus 10 in its stored position 72, when the doors 202 are opened.

[0022] Pool table 20 can be made of different materials, such as mahogany or Lucite™. When the pool table 20 is to be used outdoors, it would be preferable to use the Lucite™ material which is waterproof and weatherproof

OPERATION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0023] In the horizontal positions 70, 99, the apparatus may be used as a pool table 20 or as a dining table 20 a respectively. In the vertical position 72, the apparatus may be moved from a playing location to a different playing location or to the storage closet 200.

[0024] To convert pool table 20 to a dining table 20 a, it is only necessary to pivot side panels 94, 96 from their vertical position 98 to their horizontal position 99 by pivoting them 270° to cover the upper surface of the pool table to form the dining table.

[0025] In order to move pool table 20 to a vertical storage position 72, unlatch second legs 30; 33 and fold them 90° onto first legs 29, 32. Next, unlatch panels 94, 96 on the long sides 22, 24 and pivot them upwardly 270° from a vertical position 98 on the side 100 of the pool table 20 to a horizontal position 99 to cover the pool table 20. The first and second panels 94, 96 cooperate to form a dining table 20 a. Next pivot pool table 20, by moving it 90° about pivot rods 60, 62 from a horizontal playing position 70 to a vertical transport position 72. This in turn exposes storage case 80 for storing folding chairs 204. Now the entire apparatus 10 can be wheeled into storage closet 200 for storage or to a different playing location.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0026] It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a pool table that can be easily stored in a vertical position and easily moved into a horizontal playing position.

[0027] It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a pool table that can be compactly stored in a storage closet that possesses the dual function of a storage closet and a bookcase.

[0028] A latitude of modification, change, and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances, some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein. 

What is claimed is: 1) An apparatus for transporting a pool table, comprising: a) a pool table having two long sides and two short sides; said two short sides each having a pivot rod mounted thereon; b) each of said short sides having a first leg with wheels and a second leg with at least one wheel for supporting said pool table; c) said second leg being pivotally mounted to fold 180° to a position in the same plane as said first leg for transporting said pool table; and d) each of said first legs on each of said short sides of the pool table having a plate mounted thereon, each of said plates having a recess for receiving one of said pivot rods to pivot the top of said pool table 90° between a horizontal playing position and a vertical transport position relative to said first legs, wherein the short sides of said pool table are in a vertical position relative to the ground. 2) An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further including a storage case for chairs, said storage case having first and second ends each being connected to one of said first legs for transporting said storage case and said pool table between a first playing location and a storage location or a second playing location. 3) An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the two long sides of said pool table have first and second panels pivotally connected thereto, respectively; wherein each of said panels pivots 270° between a vertical position on the side of the pool table and a horizontal position to cover the pool table; wherein said first and second panels cooperate to form a dining table on top of said pool table; and said first and second panels being in the dining table position when said pool table is being transported. 4) An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further including a storage closet for storing said pool table; said storage closet having a plurality of doors for opening and closing said closet; said pool table being movable into and out of said storage closet when said doors are in an open position. 5) An apparatus in accordance with claim 2, said storage case further including a cover pivotally connected to said storage case, said cover being movable to a vertical open position for supporting said pool table in said vertical transport position. 6) An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the underside of said pool table includes mounting racks for mounting thereon pool sticks; said mounting racks in their extended position operating to support said pool table in said vertical position. 7) An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pool table may be made out of a material selected from the following group: Lucite™, mahogany or other selected woods. 